Fair Housing Rights
South Suburban Housing Center serves clients who feel they were treated unfairly by housing providers, lenders, realtors, appraisers, property management companies, condominium and homeowner associations, and more. As a regional fair housing enforcement agency, we advocate for your rights under the federal Fair Housing Act, Illinois Human Rights Act, Cook County Human Rights Ordinance, and other state and local housing laws. SSHC is a nonprofit organization, and our services are free.
Quick Links
What is fair housing?
Who is protected from housing discrimination?
What do I do if it happens to me?
What is fair housing?
Fair housing laws protect individuals from housing discrimination based on their protected class status, such as race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, and disability. Fair housing protects people from discrimination when engaging in housing-related activities, including renting or buying a home, getting a mortgage, seeking housing assistance, or engaging in other housing-related activities.
Who is protected from housing discrimination?
The federal Fair Housing Act makes it illegal to discriminate based on a person’s:
- Race
- Color
- Religion
- National Origin
- Sex (including sexual harassment)
- Disability
- Familial Status
In Illinois, Cook County, and Chicago, there are additional protections:
Illinois
- Ancestry
- Age
- Marital Status
- Sexual Orientation, including gender identity
- Source of Income
- Pregnancy
- Unfavorable Military Discharge
- Military Status
- Order of Protection Status
- Immigration Status
Cook County
- Traits associated with a person’s race
- Age
- Ancestry
- Sexual Orientation
- Marital Status
- Parental Status
- Military Discharge Status
- Source of Income
- Housing Status
- Gender Identity
- Criminal History
- Bodily Autonomy
- Pregnancy Status
- Ethnicity
- Caste
Chicago
- Age (over 40)
- Ancestry
- Bodily Autonomy
- Gender Identity
- Marital Status
- Military Status
- Parental Status
- Sex, including pregnancy and sexual harassment
- Sexual Orientation
- Source of Income
What do I do if it happens to me?
If you feel your fair housing rights were violated, visit our page below to report it.